[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreation
December is a busy month at the end of the year.
It’s also a season when the cold is more noticeable and people tend to have fewer opportunities to go outside.
With that in mind, here are some physical activities and crafts for older adults that can be enjoyed indoors where it’s warm.
These are December-themed recreations, so they allow participants to see, feel, and enjoy the season while experiencing a sense of seasonal atmosphere.
They also provide various mental and physical stimulation—moving the body, using the fingers, thinking, and creating opportunities to interact with friends.
Please make good use of these recreations.
- [Elderly Care Facility] Fun-filled recreational activities for a Christmas party: crafts, rhythmic exercises, games, and even a snack-time activity
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- [For Seniors] Simple Tabletop Games: Fun and Engaging Recreational Activities
- For seniors: Decorate the December wall with a tree. Easy ideas using origami and yarn.
- For Seniors: Fun for Everyone! Christmas Party Activity Ideas
- For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
- For seniors: Introducing handmade decoration ideas to welcome a wonderful Christmas
- [For Seniors] Fun Crafts Recommended for December
- [For Seniors] Exciting Team-Based Recreational Activities
- [For Seniors] Introducing Trivia Quizzes and Fun Facts About December
[For Seniors] Recommended in December! Safe and Fun Indoor Recreational Activities (61–70)
Christmas Association Brain Training
December, as the Christmas season approaches.
With colorful decorations all around, some older adults may be feeling their hearts lift.
Here’s a recommended activity for the warm Christmas atmosphere: a “Christmas Association Brain Training.” Invite seniors to think of items that come to mind when they think of Christmas.
Write the words they come up with on a whiteboard.
It’s also fun to have them think about “colors that evoke Christmas.” Both activities help with brain training.
In addition, recalling Christmas helps them feel the season.
Crossword puzzle
With crossword puzzles, you can enjoy yourself even during the cold winter months.
Did you know December 21 is Crossword Puzzle Day? How about trying them with older adults? Solving the clues is said to help stimulate the brain.
It’s also fun to use a tablet to try new puzzles online.
On Crossword Puzzle Day, why not work on one while sharing the story behind the anniversary? Since they use reasoning and memory, crosswords seem like a great way to train the brain while having fun.
It sounds like a lovely activity for spending unhurried time in a warm, cozy room.
Create this year’s Kanji of the Year as a collage
Creating this year’s kanji character as a collage sounds fun.
The process of cutting out and pasting magazine and newspaper clippings uses the fingertips, which helps stimulate the brain for older adults.
Summarizing the year into a single character can also be a great way to reflect on the past year.
Using stickers and stamps from 100-yen shops makes preparation easy.
Tweezers allow for precise placement, which can improve concentration.
You can let older adults create based on their preferences, or prepare a sample to follow.
It seems like a wonderful way to spend enjoyable time while making beautiful pieces.
handbell
Handbells are a popular choice for entertainment and performances.
Their beautiful tones enhance the atmosphere and are perfect for Christmas.
It’s a recreation that people of all ages can enjoy.
So how about having everyone, including older adults, perform Christmas songs together? Since you can produce lovely sounds just by shaking them, it’s an easy activity to try.
two-person robe (Nininbaori): a comedic act where two people share one kimono-like garment, with the rear person acting as the arms for the front person
“Ninin-baori,” a game played in pairs.
Two people wear one garment together; the person in front shows their face, while the person in back reaches their hands through the sleeves to eat food or put on makeup.
Since the person in back can’t see what they’re doing, nothing goes smoothly—but that’s exactly what makes it so funny and exciting.